Among all joint diseases, osteoarthritis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world's population.It is relevant for both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients have been registered as suffering from various forms of osteoarthritis.A fatal outcome from osteoarthritis is extremely unlikely, but it can lead to early disability, loss of work ability and a significant reduction in quality of life.
Prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis should be carried out by a highly qualified doctor.
Traditional treatment
For effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint damage, the entire arsenal of drugs, physiotherapeutic, orthopedic and surgical means is used.It should be noted that great importance in the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis is linked to the selection of the optimal motor condition and normalization of body weight.Traditional therapy includes the following methods:
- Symptomatic treatment.
- Taking chondroprotectors.
- Local therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- Surgical treatment.
Symptomatic therapy
In most cases, the cause of pain in osteoarthritis is considered to be reactive inflammation in the synovial membrane of the joint.Therefore, it is quite reasonable to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress pain and inflammation.Most often, standard drugs from the NSAID group are used.
When choosing a drug, he prefers those drugs that are quite effective, safe and available to the majority of the population.At the same time, long-term use of NSAIDs can provoke the development of serious pathology in the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosions and ulcers.To prevent such complications, special drugs may be prescribed.
It is strongly recommended not to combine different types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this will not increase the therapeutic effect, but will only significantly increase the risk of side effects.
Chondroprotectors
Currently, chondroprotectors are successfully used to restore cartilage tissue and prevent the development of pathological changes in the joints.In the early stages of the disease, these drugs effectively inhibit the development of the degenerative process.However, in stages 3 and 4 of the disease, chondroprotectors prove to be of little use.
Most chondroprotectors are well tolerated by patients.But unfortunately they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Their characteristic feature is that the therapeutic effect occurs on average 3-4 weeks after the start of treatment.At the same time, they still continue to work for 2-5 months after the end of chondroprotective therapy.
Synovial fluid prostheses
Every specialist will tell you that without synovial fluid, a joint cannot function normally.Certain types of drugs are used as synovial fluid replacements.
All drugs improve the properties of the synovial fluid and at the same time suppress inflammatory and destructive processes in the joint cartilage.On average, a therapeutic course can include up to 5 intra-articular injections.It is recommended to complete up to two courses per year.The indication for repeated therapy with hyaluronic acid-based drugs is increased pain and severe limitation of the functionality of the affected joint.
Only the attending physician can decide whether it is advisable to prescribe a particular drug.
Local therapy
It is rare that osteoarthritis is treated without the use of local therapy.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is resorted to in case of chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and lack of proper analgesic effect by taking NSAIDs.During the year, 3-4 injections of glucocorticosteroids into the joint are allowed.The interval between injections is approximately 90 days.
If there are no contraindications, compresses with painkillers are used.To achieve the desired effect, 10-12 procedures are prescribed.The possibility of extending the treatment or repeating the course is not excluded.In order to reduce pain and the dosage of prescribed NSAID preparations, various pain-relieving ointments, gels or creams are also used.
Physiotherapy
At all stages of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease, various physiotherapeutic procedures can be used.Basic methods of physiotherapy help to eliminate pain due to stress on the joint, reduce inflammation and improve the restoration of cartilage tissue.What physical procedures are used for osteoarthritis:
- Electromagnetic field.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Ultraviolet irradiation.
- Electrophoresis.
- Ultrasound.
- Inductothermy.
- Infrared laser therapy.
- Balneotherapy.
- Mud applications.
Physiotherapy can also be used to prevent osteoarthritis.For example, ultrasound treatment, hydrogen sulphide and radon baths prevent pathological changes in the articular cartilage.
Therapeutic exercise
The main goal of therapeutic exercises is to restore the function of affected joints, strengthen the muscle-ligament system and prevent the development of the disease.Let's consider an approximate set of exercises that can be used as prevention and treatment of the most common localization of arthrosis - the knee joint:
- Let's take a chair.We stand behind the back of the chair.Bend the left leg slightly at the knee joint.We take a step back with the right foot.Then the foot of this leg moves down.This movement creates tension in the muscles of the lower leg.You must remain in this position for 15 seconds.Repeat several times and switch legs.
- We sit on a chair.We straighten our legs at the knees and keep them straight in front of us.It is enough to hold your legs for about 5-7 seconds.If it is difficult to perform, you can do the exercise by straightening only one leg.Do 10-12 repetitions.If you feel well and there is no pain, you can increase the number of visits.
- We stand with our backs against the wall.Let's take a small step forward.My back is pressed against the wall.We lower ourselves into a half squat.We try to hold in this position for 5-7 seconds.Then we get up slowly.At the same time, your back doesn't come off the wall.Increase the static load (hold the position in a half squat) gradually.
- Regular squats are considered the ideal exercise for knee joint development.The optimal number of squats depends on the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.
- We lay down on the floor.Raise your legs and perform movements reminiscent of riding a bicycle.Do the exercise for 20-30 seconds.Then a short rest and another approach.If your physical condition allows, increase the time you perform the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of osteoarthritis without exacerbation, therapeutic exercises will be useful to help restore the functionality of the joints.
Surgical treatment
As clinical practice shows, not all patients manage to cope with the disease using conservative methods.If standard therapy does not give the desired result and severe joint damage is observed, leading to disability, surgical treatment is indicated.Many patients with severe deformities of large joints are recommended to undergo endoprostheses.The effectiveness of replacing the affected joint with an artificial one is more than 70%.Most patients after endoprosthetics experience a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Traditional medicine
It is difficult not to recognize the fact that the popularity of the use of folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including osteoarthritis, has increased sharply in recent years.Today, you can easily find a lot of folk recipes for compresses, salves and tinctures.Let's list the most common ones:
- Clay compact.Mix clay and water in such proportions to obtain a homogeneous mass.Next, we place it on a small piece of fabric.We place a clay compress on the affected joint.The duration of the procedure can reach about an hour and a half.You will feel the positive effect after 5-7 days.
- Cabbage and honey compresses.It is especially popular because it is quite simple to make and apply.Before going to bed, take 3-4 cabbage leaves.On one side, smear them with honey and apply them to the sore joint.To enhance the effect of the compress, you can wrap the joint in polyethylene and a warm cloth.It is best to use a compress at night.
- Oatmeal compress.Take a glass of oatmeal and boil for 8 minutes.You need to use less water than in normal cooking to get a fairly thick porridge.Allow the porridge to cool at the end of cooking.Then place the oatmeal on a thick cloth.And the compress is ready for use.In addition, it is also recommended to wrap the affected joint with polyethylene and a woolen scarf.
- Horseradish compress.Horseradish roots must be chopped.Fill them with water and boil for a few minutes.Then we place the horseradish evenly on natural material, which we apply to the sore joint.The compress is applied for approx.2 hours.
- Oil rubbing from celandine.The leaves and stems of the medicinal plant must be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of celandine and pour it into a small jar.Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into it.We insist for 14 days.Then we buckle up.This celandine oil rub can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Dandelion rub.Find a bottle, jar, or any other container made of opaque glass.Fill about half of the glass container with dandelion flowers.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.You will have to insist for at least a month.Before use, strain the liquid.Dandelion tincture is used as a common rub.The rubbing procedure is typically best done before bedtime.
- Medicinal bath with herbs.To prepare this bath, use medicinal plants such as St. John's wort, oregano, calendula, nettle and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each component and leave in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the infused liquid into the bath.Take a herbal bath for about 15-20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of arthrosis of the joints (elbow, knee, hip), you should definitely consult your doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to go through long and continuous courses of treatment, you must address the prevention of osteoarthritis.Some useful tips that will significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative disorders in your joints:
- Normalize your weight.
- Avoid injury and damage.
- Eat right.
- Stick to optimal movement patterns.
- The most useful sports for osteoarthritis are swimming, skiing and measured walking.
Your musculoskeletal system will be in excellent condition if you do not ignore the recommendations of medical specialists and undergo regular medical examinations.